There are many different layers to the current dumpster fire that is the Denver Broncos. While most of the attention has been on the shocking demise of Russell Wilson in first-year head coach Nathaniel Hackett’s offensive system, it may be easy to forget the stark fall from grace that has gone on with veteran running back Melvin Gordon.
Coming into the season, Hackett implored a platoon-type system with Gordon and JaVonte Williams at running back. After Williams went down with a season ending injury, fantasy football owners flocked to roster Gordon. However, the running back spent the majority of Monday night’s overtime loss watching fellow running backs Latavius Murray and Mike Boone take the majority of snaps in the backfield.
Looking at Gordon with his helmet off on the sidelines may have led many to believe his days as a Bronco are over, but he remains the No. 1 back on their depth chart heading into the team’s Week 7 game against the New York Jets.
“They caught some clips of me being, like, pissed, but that was more to us not being able to drive, and you know, going three-and-out, just not playing good football,” Gordon said to ESPN. “People made it seem like I was just mad, kind of standoffish, but if you were really paying attention, that wasn’t the case.”
Gordon then added: “I hate I’m in the media for the wrong reasons … because I don’t want people to look at me and think ‘it’s always something’ rather than ‘the guy’s out here killing it.’ … It’s adversity, this chapter of my life, it’s just being tested.”
Melvin Gordon & Latavius Murray Fantasy Football Ranking and Analysis
Per our Stokastic NFL Start/Sit Fantasy Football Rankings for running backs, we currently have Murray (No. 37) ranked slightly ahead of Gordon (No.44) on our list, with Boone checking in at No. 48.
Hackett said he had a “great talk” with Gordon despite the benching, and that he’ll remain the starter for the time being.
“It happened; I’m glad we hashed it out,” Gordon said before Wednesday’s practice.
When asked if he was given an adequate explanation on why he was benched in the game, Gordon replied “Yeah, kind of, sort of, yeah.”
Gordon is opting to take the high road, for now, but if he remains on the sidelines going forward, things could spiral in Denver. In the meantime, it’s probably best to leave any Broncos running back out of your fantasy football lineup.
